Carton with extension for holding a utensil

ABSTRACT

A container for granular, particulate or a collection of individual materials having an extension for receiving a utensil is disclosed. More particularly containers having at least one extension that has a hole in the extension so that a utensil can be hooked into the extension and packaged along with said materials is disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to containers for granular orparticulate materials and in particular powdered household cleaningproducts or various other collections of individual materials. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to containers having atleast one extension having an aperture such that a utensil can beaffixed to the extension and packaged along with said materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Utensils for volumetric measuring of granular products, which areincluded in retail packages for user convenience, are well known. Onesuch utensil is a scoop. Such scoops are found particularly withgranular detergent and coffee products where volumetric measuring isbeneficial to obtaining reproducible results. Measuring scoops aretypically manufactured of molded of plastic and have a measuring portionconnected to a handle. The measuring portion typically has a cylindricalor rectangular body forming an open cavity of the same shape.

[0003] Customer satisfaction with the scoop is strongly dependent onscoop accessibility. The ideal case is for the consumer to find thescoop on top of the product when the carton is initially opened.However, as is often the case, the scoop sinks into the product duringpre-purchase handling, resulting in consumer dissatisfaction over thescoop's accessibility.

[0004] Current solutions to the aforementioned problem follow twodistinct routes. In the first, the container is filled with granularproduct followed by placement of a small scoop on top of the productbefore the container lid is installed. In the second route, thecontainer is inverted with the top down. The scoop is placed in thecontainer followed by filling with a granular product around it. Whenthe container is re-inverted, the scoop is at the top end of thecontainer where the lid is subsequently opened by the consumer. Thesecond route is preferable where the scoop is large relative to the sizeof the container or where the container does not have sufficientheadspace to accommodate dropping a scoop on top of the product.

[0005] However, the aforementioned solutions have distinctdisadvantages. In both cases the scoop generally sinks into the productduring transportation of the finished product due to vibrations and therespective densities of the product versus the scoop. Additionally, thetop filling method necessarily requires more headspace to allow room forthe scoop, which generally limits the size of the scoop.

[0006] Several attempts have been made in the art to provide anaccessible utensil, yet none has been satisfactory. In many cases thesophisticated equipment necessary to place the utensil is prohibitive.Utensils or scoops have been glued into packages. However, this methodleaves the consumer with no way to reattach the scoop for storage onceinitially removed. Therefore, the consumer places the scoop into theproduct where it is again subject to sinking.

[0007] Accordingly, the need remains for a carton for packaging granularmaterials that provides a dosing scoop which is readily accessible tothe consumer at all times. A need also remains for a method ofreattaching the scoop once initially separated from the package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention meets the aforementioned needs by providinga container for granular or powdered products as well as for collectionsof small individual items to be packaged together (i.e. candies, cereal,toys etc.). According to a first embodiment of the present invention acontainer defining a cavity for storing products, said cavity having anopening through which the product can be removed during use is provided.The container includes a lid, which may be affixed to the container.When the lid is affixed it may be affixed by any known means, preferablyby a hinge. The lid covers said cavity opening when in a closedposition. The container further comprises front, back and side panels toform a cavity with an opening. When the lid is affixed to the containerit may preferably be affixed to an upper portion of the back panel. Thecarton further comprises a bottom panel. At least one side panel of saidcontainer has at least one extension for affixing said utensil. In apreferred embodiment the extension is provided with an aperture foraffixing the utensil, measuring scoop or other dosing device to theextension. This arrangement provides for an accessible utensil (e.g.,one that has not been buried in the product of the package), which iseasily located by a user of the package upon first opening of thepackage. The extension can be placed anywhere on the side panel so longas the placement provides an accessible utensil.

[0009] According to an additional embodiment of the invention thecarton, as described above, further comprises a bottom panel and aliner. The liner is formed from four side panels. At least one sidepanel of said liner has at least one extension for affixing saidutensil. In a preferred embodiment the extension is provided with anaperture for affixing the utensil, measuring scoop or other dosingdevice to the extension. This arrangement provides for an accessibleutensil (e.g., one that has not been buried in the product of thepackage), which is easily located by a user of the package upon firstopening of the package. The extension can be placed anywhere on the sidepanel of the liner so long as the placement provides an accessibleutensil.

[0010] All percentages and proportions herein are by weight, and allreferences cited are hereby incorporated by reference, unless otherwisespecifically indicated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1. is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the packageaccording to the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 2. is a perspective view of a second embodiment of thepackage according to the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 3. is a plan view of a carton blank before assembly.

[0014]FIG. 4. is a plan view of a carton liner before assembly.

[0015]FIG. 5. is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the packageaccording to the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 6. is a perspective view of a laundry detergent packageaccording to the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 7. is a perspective view of a laundry detergent package andutensil according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying figures. As discussed more fully hereafter, the presentinvention is directed to a carton for containing granular, powdered orother contents, provided with a utensil, which is affixed to the cartonvia extension of the carton or the carton liner. It is understood thatthe words carton, package and container are interchangeable within thecontext of this disclosure. By utensil is meant any type of measuringdevice, or tool that may be supplied in a container for the purpose ofdispensing the product contained therein. A particularly preferredcarton or package 10 made in accordance with the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 1. The package 10 is illustrated as a six-sidedcarton having a lid 12 formed from flaps 14, 16, 18, and 20 andinterconnected with a container 22 formed from a base 24 and side panels26, 28, 30 and 32. The lid, base and side panels each have inner andouter surfaces, wherein the inner surfaces are disposed within theinterior of the package 10 and the outer surfaces are disposed about theexterior of the package. The side panels 26, 28, 30 and 32 each havingupper edges 31, and lower edges 33. At least one side panel 26, 28, 30or 32 is provided with at least one extension 48. In a preferredembodiment an extension 48 is affixed to upper edge 31. Said extension48 has an aperture 50 to which a utensil can be easily affixed. The sizeand shape of aperture 50 is determined by the particular utensilintended to be supplied in the package.

[0019] Another embodiment of package 10 made in accordance with thepresent invention is illustrated by way of FIG. 2. The package 10 is asdescribed above in FIG. 1 wherein the carton is additionally providedwith a liner 34, as shown more fully in FIG. 4. The preferred liner 34has side panels 36, 38, 40, and 42 each having upper edges 44 and loweredges 46 (not visible in FIG. 2). The liner may have only one sidepanel, or up to as many side panels as the carton itself. The liner 34also has at least one extension 48. Preferably the extension 48 isaffixed to the upper edge 44. Said extension 48 has an aperture 50wherein a utensil can be easily affixed. The size and shape of aperture50 is determined by the particular utensil intended to be supplied inthe package.

[0020] The package 10 is preferably used to store powdered or granularproducts, examples of which might include laundry detergents, foods, andthe like. In addition, the package 10 can be used to store any otherproducts where it is desired to provide a utensil. The terms “granular”and “powdered” are used interchangeably herein and are intended to referto any products comprising solid or semi-solid particles. While thepresent invention is described herein with reference to the exemplarysix-sided package of FIGS. 1 and 2, it is contemplated that the presentinvention can be adapted for use with other package configurations andshapes. For example, the present invention can be used with packageshaving one or more curved or curvilinear panels and the like. Further,the present invention can be used with bottom fill and side-fillcartons. While the package 10 is illustrated in FIG. I with the lid 12disposed at the top of the carton, it is contemplated that the lid 12can be placed at other locations, multiple lids can be provided andother lid configurations can be accommodated.

[0021] Additionally, it is contemplated that the extension 48 may beplaced in a corner of the package 10, or just below the upper edges 31,44, of any of said side panels 26, 28, 30, and 32 or liner side panels36, 38, 40, and 42 respectively. One such embodiment is exemplified inFIG. 5.

[0022] The package 10 can be formed from the blank 60 illustrated inFIG. 3. The blank 60, has a section corresponding to each of the lidflaps 14, 16, 18 and 20 and each of the side panels 26, 28, 30 and 32,as shown. For purposes of discussion, it is the interior surfaces of theflaps and panels of the blank 60, which are visible in FIG. 3. The base24 of the package 10 is preferably formed from base flaps 62, 64, 66 and68. The blank 60 also includes a glue flap 70 disposed along an edge ofthe side panel 32. The flaps and panels of the blank 60, are integrallyinterconnected with each other by score lines, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82,84, 86, 88, 89, 91, and 93. The score lines are cut deep enough tofacilitate bending of the various flaps and panels about theirrespective score lines without fracture or separation of the flaps andpanels from their neighboring flap or panel.

[0023] The liner 34 can be formed from blank 90 illustrated in FIG. 4.The blank 90 has a section corresponding to each of the side panels 36,38, 40, and 42 integrally interconnected with each other by score lines92, 94, 96, and 98. The blank 90 further comprises an extension flap 48integrally connected to an upper edge 44 of at least one side panel 36,38, 40, and/or 42 by a score line 100. The extension flap 48 has anaperture 50.

[0024] Particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention areshown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. FIG. 6 exemplifies a package according tothe present invention wherein the package 10 further comprises a laundrydetergent composition. FIG. 7 also exemplifies a package according tothe present invention wherein the package 10 further comprises a laundrydetergent composition and a measuring scoop.

[0025] The package 10 is preferably used to store powdered or granularproducts, examples of which might include laundry detergents, foods,cleaning products and the like. In addition, the package 10 can be usedto store any other products where it is desired to provide an easilyaccessible utensil in the package.

[0026] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention, have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations arepossible and contemplated in light of the above teachings by thoseskilled in the art, and the embodiments discussed were chosen anddescribed in order to best illustrate the principles of the inventionand its practical application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A package, comprising: a) a container formed froma base and at least four side panels connected to said base to form acavity, said cavity having an opening, and each of said side panelshaving an upper and a lower edge; b) a lid for closing said opening;wherein at least one of said side panels has an extension affixed tosaid side panel, said extension having an aperture disposed within saidextension.
 2. A package, comprising: a) a container formed from a baseand at least four side panels connected to said base to form a cavity,said cavity having an opening, and each of said side panels having anupper and a lower edge; b) a lid for closing said opening; and c) aliner disposed within said container cavity, said liner having at leastone panel, each panel having an upper and lower edge, wherein at leastone panel has an extension affixed to said panel, said extension havingan aperture disposed within said extension.
 3. A package according toclaim 1 further comprising a utensil having a handle capable of beinginserted through the aperture of said extension.
 4. A package accordingto claim 2 further comprising a utensil having a handle capable of beinginserted through the aperture of said extension.
 5. A package,comprising: a) a container formed from a base and at least four sidepanels connected to said base to form a cavity, said cavity having anopening, and each of said side panels having an upper and a lower edge;b) a lid for closing said opening; wherein at least one of said sidepanels has an extension affixed to said side panel, said extensionhaving an aperture disposed within said extension, further comprising autensil affixed to said extension.
 6. A package, comprising: a) acontainer formed from a base and at least four side panels connected tosaid base to form a cavity, said cavity having an opening, and each ofsaid side panels having an upper and a lower edge; b) a lid for closingsaid opening; wherein at least one of said side panels has an extensionaffixed to said side panel, said extension having an aperture disposedwithin said extension, further comprising a utensil affixed to saidextension and wherein said cavity contains detergent.
 7. A package,according to claim 2 further comprising a utensil affixed to saidextension.
 8. A package, according to claim 2 wherein said cavitycontains a detergent composition.
 9. A package, according to claim 1wherein said lid is affixed to said upper edge of at least one sidepanel.